Annual Report 2010 - Outokumpu

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Hydroflux, a product developed by Outokumpu, is manufactured from descaling waste generated on the Group's
stainless steel annealing and pickling lines. It can be used to replace the calcium fluoride used as a flux in stainless steel
slag management. In a joint project involving the Group's Avesta, Nyby and Degerfors production facilities, ways of reusing
hydroxide flux instead of sending it to landfill are being developed. Avesta Melt Shop continues to use hydroflux on
a continual basis. The next step is to enable full-scale production of hydroflux.
New Castle in the US completed several projects in 2010 with the aim of achieving lower levels of waste. For example,
reductions targets in filter cake, mill scale, general trash and refractory waste were achieved.
Read more about waste management.
Investing in research projects
Almost all of the significant waste streams from Outokumpu's production processes are studied with the aim of reducing
their environmental impact. For example the Group's Tornio Research facility coordinated the following environmentrelated
research projects during 2010:
The ISSF GRASCA - FINCON (Granulation of Slag under Controlled Atmosphere and Use of Stainless Steel Slag as
Filler in Concrete) project
Tests to evaluate fine steel slag as a material for the neutralisation of acidic mine effluent.
The re-use of OPAR acid regeneration salts produced at Tornio Works in nickel production.
Bioleaching processes for converting metallurgical wastes into less-chemically-active and less-harmful forms
(PROBIO) and the development of new, remote-monitoring systems for both ground water and waste water
(MONIWATER).
A dust-treatment study
The recovery of metals from scale sludge, oily sludge and steel dusts.
The use of oil-containing waste water in ferrochrome sintering plant.
Outokumpu Annual Report 2010 – Business – Materials efficiency